LDWF says fish habitat should benefit

10:39 PM,
Jul. 21, 2014

A turtle swims near small patches of giant salvinia near the spillway along Highway 154 on Lake Bistineau.

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While giant salvania isn't taking over Lake Bistineau at this point, the invasive weed is causing a big enough problem that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a drawdown beginning Aug. 4.

"Our management plan for a lake sets 1,500 acres as the target. When we hit that mark (in salvinia) we consider a drawdown," LDWF biologist manager Jeff Sibley told The Times. "Currently Bistineau has about 1,725 acres covered and this is the prime growing season for salvinia. If we don't act now, the lake will be impacted next year."